Who Is Roald Dahl? Age, Biography and Wiki
Roald Dahl was born on September 13, 1916, and his incredible storytelling talents have left an indelible mark on children’s literature worldwide. He passed away in 1990, but his legacy continues to thrive with adaptations of his works and new generations discovering his enchanting tales. As of 2025, we reflect on his monumental contributions to literature and the cultural phenomena they have inspired.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 13, 1916 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Cardiff, Wales |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 23 November, 1990 |
| Died Place | Oxford, England |
Popularity
Roald Dahl's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements aren't readily available for Roald Dahl, it is known that he stood at approximately 6 feet 6 inches tall. This towering figure not only commanded attention in person but also in his writing, where he created larger-than-life characters that captivated readers of all ages.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Roald Dahl was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to actress [Patricia Neal](/fannie-flagg) in 1953, and they had five children together. After separating in 1983, Dahl married Felicity Crossland in 1983, with whom he remained until his death in 1990. Roald's relationships often inspired aspects of his storytelling, intertwining personal experiences with his creative works.
Dahl's father, a wealthy shipbroker and self-made man, had emigrated to Britain from Sarpsborg, Norway and settled in Cardiff in the 1880s with his first wife, Frenchwoman Marie Beaurin-Gresser. They had two children together (Ellen Marguerite and Louis) before her death in 1907.
Roald's mother belonged to a well-established Norwegian family of lawyers, priests in the state church and wealthy merchants and estate owners, and emigrated to Britain when she married his father in 1911. Dahl was named after Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen.
His first language was Norwegian, which he spoke at home with his parents and his sisters Astri, Alfhild, and Else. The children were raised in Norway's Lutheran state church, the Church of Norway, and were baptised at the Norwegian Church, Cardiff.
His maternal grandmother Ellen Wallace was a granddaughter of the member of parliament Georg Wallace and a descendant of an early 18th-century Scottish immigrant to Norway.
Net Worth and Salary
Though Roald Dahl passed away in 1990, his literary estate continues to be immensely profitable. As of 2025, estimates suggest that his estate's worth is approximately $20 million. This wealth comes not only from book sales but also from film adaptations and merchandise based on his beloved stories, reflecting his enduring popularity.
Coming from war-starved Britain (in what was a wartime period of rationing in the United Kingdom), Dahl was amazed by the wealth of food and amenities to be had in North America. Arriving in Washington a week later, Dahl found he liked the atmosphere of the US capital. He shared a house with another attaché at 1610 34th Street, NW, in Georgetown.
But after ten days in his new posting, Dahl strongly disliked it, feeling he had taken on "a most ungodly unimportant job". He later explained, "I'd just come from the war. People were getting killed. I had been flying around, seeing horrible things. Now, almost instantly, I found myself in the middle of a pre-war cocktail party in America."
Career, Business and Investments
Dahl's career spanned decades and included a rich tapestry of works ranging from children's books like “Matilda” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to adult fiction and screenwriting. He has sold over 250 million copies of his books globally, establishing him as one of the best-selling authors of all time. Beyond writing, Dahl engaged in various business ventures related to his stories, including theme parks and merchandise, maximizing the cultural impact of his creations.
During his years at Repton, the Cadbury chocolate company occasionally sent boxes of new chocolates to the school to be tested by the pupils. Dahl dreamt of inventing a new chocolate bar that would win the praise of Mr Cadbury himself; this inspired him in writing his third children's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and to refer to chocolate in other children's books.
Social Network
Roald Dahl's works have a significant presence in popular culture even years after his death. His stories are a source of inspiration for various film and television adaptations, and his estate actively maintains his legacy through social media platforms and official websites. Fans can connect and share their love for his works through dedicated pages, celebrating his lasting impact on literature and entertainment.
Dahl's short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, macabre, often darkly comic mood, featuring villainous adult enemies of the child characters. His children's books champion the kindhearted and feature an underlying warm sentiment.
His works for children include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, The Twits, George's Marvellous Medicine and Danny, the Champion of the World.
His works for older audiences include the short story collections Tales of the Unexpected and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More.
Education
Dahl was educated at several institutions in the UK, culminating in his attendance at Repton School. Although he faced some challenges during his schooling, his love for storytelling was evident from a young age. Following his education, he served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, a time that shaped many of his later stories.
Dahl first attended The Cathedral School, Llandaff. At age eight, he and four of his friends were caned by the headmaster after putting a dead mouse in a jar of gobstoppers at the local sweet shop, which was owned by a "mean and loathsome" old woman named Mrs Pratchett. The five boys named their prank the "Great Mouse Plot of 1924".
Mrs Pratchett inspired Dahl's creation of the cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, and a prank, this time in a water jug belonging to Trunchbull, would also appear in the book.
Gobstoppers were a favourite sweet among British schoolboys between the two World Wars, and Dahl referred to them in his fictional Everlasting Gobstopper which was featured in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Conclusion
Roald Dahl remains a beloved figure in literature, and his influence on storytelling continues to inspire new audiences. As we reach 2025, his works are not just books to read, but gateways to creativity and imagination, ensuring that the magic of Roald Dahl will endure for generations to come.
